4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Readable, Entertaining, Enlightening, September 24, 2009
This review is from: Why Is There a Menorah on the Altar?Jewish Roots of Christian Worship (Paperback)
I got a copy of this book as soon as I saw that it was in print. I happened upon the author's blog by chance, as I was doing research for my Hebrew Scripture class. I am a Catholic convert, who has always wanted to understand the origins of all things Catholic. I have done much research on my own into the "Jewish roots of Catholicism", but always wished that there was a concise, but clear book on the same topic that I could share with my friends who do not share my attention span for heavily footnoted tomes. Ms. Gould's book is an answer to a prayer.
I firmly believe that if we do not appreciate the Jewish faith for all of its richness, we cannot appreciate the faith the grew out of it - Christianity. Any Catholic who reads this books will gain a deeper appreciation for our liturgical and sacramental life, as well as a newfound respect for the Jewish people.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Toward a Better Understanding of Our Shared Roots, September 20, 2009
This review is from: Why Is There a Menorah on the Altar?Jewish Roots of Christian Worship (Paperback)
Meredith Gould is one of those people whose calling it is to occupy the space between two societal entities. It's an uncomfortable place to live life, especially for someone who's also committed to making the world a better place. From a between-place it's possible to see things that can't be seen from inside the fences, and those things include the misconceptions each side has about the other. Christians and Jews have a lot of misconceptions, misunderstandings, and misapprehensions about one another. Some of them are harmless, some are hurtful, some have been deadly for Jews. Truth-telling, which is what those in-between dwellers like Meredith Gould do, is about healing those ancient wounds which, though familiar, are nevertheless signs of dis-ease, not only in our relationships with one another, but also in our relationship with God. If we are to be about God's work in the world, then we must attend to them.
Gould's newest book, Why Is There a Menorah on the Altar? is a good place to start. Aimed primarily at Catholics, Episcopalians and Lutherans, it is a very readable and even occasionally humorous guide to the Jewish antecedents of many customs and practices in liturgical churches. The author, who considers herself "a Jew in identity, a Christian in faith, and a Catholic in religious practice," did a considerable amount of research into similarities and differences with regard to scripture, historical events, and worship, and this comprises the first half of the book. In the second half of the book she looks at the sacraments of baptism,
holy communion, and confirmation to find the echos of Judaism therein.
Anyone who has been to seminary or studied theology in any depth will probably (I hope!) find much here that is familiar, though there will assuredly be surprises as well. Gould approaches the words and actions of Christian worship from a vantage point unfamiliar to the vast majority of Christians, and allows us to see them with fresh eyes. This book would be a great addition to a study group, confirmation curriculum or Sunday school class, and is presented in a format that facilitates such uses. There are special explanatory paragraphs set apart in borders throughout, and discussion questions at the end of each chapter.
Several chapters have timelines at the end, which are helpful for keeping it all in historical context. There is also a glossary of Hebrew terms and Jewish concepts, an appendix of selected letters and statements on Jewish-Christian relations, a list of resources, and a timeline of Christianity's emergence from Judaism at the end of the book.
My only quibble with this work is a small one which I hope can be corrected in reprints: the timeline at the end of the chapter on Holy Communion would be more useful if it consistently noted which denomination produced which decree. Only people who have studied Reformation history and documents in depth will be on familiar ground here; the rest of us could use a few more notes.
Highly recommended for Christians of any denomination, and anyone interested in interfaith understanding.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Interfaith Feast for the Senses, October 19, 2009
This review is from: Why Is There a Menorah on the Altar?Jewish Roots of Christian Worship (Paperback)
As a Catholic child of a Jewish father, I was thrilled to learn that we would be attending a Bat Mitzvah. The year was 1967 and I was 10. My parents told me that we were going to "God's other house." This got my attention because I loved Mass at our "God's house."
Entering the synagogue, I was curious about the yarmulkes for men and no chapel veils for women, the lack of statuary and candles, not to mention no Holy Communion. The Hebrew might as well have been Latin; it seemed transcendent to me.
I fell in love with this version of God's house. In fact, I could not wait to get to tell Sister Agnes Marie all about how it was totally different yet so much the same. As it happened, I can't say that Sister was as excited as I was. However, I was intrigued with whatever God had going with Judaism.
No wonder I was anxious to read, "Why Is There a Menorah on the Altar? Jewish Roots of Christian Worship" by Meredith Gould (Seabury Books, $20). Gould, who was born and raised Jewish, is now a practicing Roman Catholic.
In the foreword, the author wastes no time and jumps into how her Jewishness shapes who she is to this day. Her proclamation that she is a "Jew in identity, a Christian in faith and a Catholic in religious practice" shows that her faith is wide and deep, cultural and spiritual.
Gould uses words deftly, employing humor to engage the reader while delivering words that will demand serious attention. This style, used throughout, is part of what makes the book compelling to read.
The first chapter begins with Scripture and some thoughts on reading the Bible and various translations. The author uses her knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures to illuminate how to understand these words as Christians today. She spares no one in stating that we must all approach the sacred texts critically if we are to comprehend and enter more deeply into Christian faith and practice.
The next two chapters give much-needed historical perspective and move on to worship. Both the neophyte and the more experienced will gain something from this content. Gould's clear explanations will help many understand elements from Judaism that influence Christian prayer and ritual.
The second half of the book is devoted to chapters about the sacraments of baptism, communion and confirmation. These particular pages give historical perspective as well as some good catechesis on each sacrament and how they came to be. Some time is devoted to how Roman Catholics, Episcopalians and Lutherans understand the common sacraments.
Jesus' own Jewish experience is put forth to remind us that we are part of a continuum. Symbols such as bread, wine and water are not Christian inventions; they build on a firm foundation from our Jewish ancestors. This is useful ecumenical information that can inform and enrich the lives of the curious faithful as well as build interfaith bridges.
Gould's writing is clear and insightful. She aims to reach a broad swath of people without oversimplifying or overstating her points. Each chapter contains informational boxes on various topics and closes with points for reflection and discussion. The reader will find exercises to try on his or her own as well. Timelines are included that are helpful with perspective and clarity.
The book closes with an afterword in which the writer recounts someone telling her that she is "really a first-century Jewish follower of Jesus in the 21st century." This is both humorous and sometimes uncomfortable for Gould -- but she handles it with appropriate aplomb and insight.
All of this is served up with bits of Yiddish and a balanced mix of levity and gravity. Add to this Gould's familiarity with Jewish teaching and tradition mixed with her knowledge of Christianity, in particular the Roman Catholic Church. In this regard, this book is an interfaith feast for the senses.
If you are looking for a short book that packs a theological, catechetical, ecumenical and humorous punch, the answer is right here -- plus, you will finally learn why there really may be a menorah on the altar.
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